Electro-mechanical counting apparatus



March 29, 1960 D. w. BLOSER ELECTRO-MECHANICAL COUNTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 7, 1955 lllll' INVEN TOR Dmswr M 340358.

March 29, 1960 D. w. BLOSER ELECTRO-MECHANICAL COUNTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 7, 1955 5 a Mfo 3 J0 ..PO6 2 Z0 M 7 O 0 IO 9 o o 00 7 o 9 Q/ 4 r. a o 3 ad 2 o l O 9 4 O o 0 n o w INVEN TOR. .Dmmr m 34035:. ,ZM i

movable from one contact to another.

-of the contacts "with -a' rotary wiper.

EL cTRoMECHANIc L COUNTING r APPARATUS Dwight W. Bloser, Oradell, NJ., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Daystrom, Incorporated, Murray Hill, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Application June'7, 1955, Serial No. 513,871 6 Claims. (Cl. 235-132) This invention relates generally to counter devices, and more particularly it relates to 'an electro-mechanical counting apparatus adapted remotely to indicate the condition of a manufacturing operation at a desired point or to reverse the operation or to exercise other similar types of control over such an operation.

Conventional counting devices may be manually preset to a given number and started from zero for actuating an electrical contact when a predetermined number is reached. In such so-called pre-set counters, the counter must be manually re-set to zero for a second operation. ;Also, a counter must again be manually preset and manually re-set to zero where it is desired to set the counter to a different number. These manual control operations of the counter require substantial expenditure of time and can not be accomplished at a remote point from the counter.

Accordingly, a principal object of this invention is to provide an electro-mechanical counting apparatus where- 'in a series of counting-cycles may be performed without manually re-setting the counter after each cycle.

Another and important object of the invention is to provide an electro-mechanical counting apparatus which may be controlled from a remote point to accomplish instantaneous setting of anumber on a counter.

A further object of this invention is to provide an electro-mechanical counting apparatus wherein different numbers may be set up in succession without re-setting the counting apparatus to zero.

Conventional counting mechanisms include multiple electrical contacts and a wiper rotatable or otherwise For counting multiple digit numbers, a plurality of sets of contacts and wipers are arranged to set up one digit after another,.

but in order to set up afive digit number, for example, the tens counter necessarily makes a number of revolution's in' the order ofthousands to one revolution of a tensor hundred'tliousands counter. As a result, the contacts of a tens counter become worn to an excessive degree with respect to" the contacts of the higher digit counters. 1

Therefore, a further-object of this invention is to Zprovide in a-multiple digit electro-mechanical counting apparatus means wherebycontact wear may be substantially reduced and equalized in the entire counter mecha- 'nism.

In accordance with this invention there is provided an elcctro-mechanicalcounting apparatus comprising a plurality of rotary counter-switches, and a gear chain connecting saidnotary switches, whereby each switch serves to count one digit of a multiple digit number.

A further feature of the invention comprises magentic means for controlling the contacts of each switch in such a manner as to permit engagement and disengagement Still-anotherfeatureof-the invention comprises a control circuit operable from a remote point for energizing the magnetic'contact controlling .means of each counter 2,930,527 Patented Mar. 29, 1960 2 switch, for activating said contacts only after the digit identified with a particular switch has been counted.

Still another feature of this invention comprises an electro-mechanical counting apparatus having a plurality of rotary counter switches linked together by a gear chain, whereby each switch serves to count one digit of a multiple digit number, a first drive shaft adapted to be connected to a feed mechanism of a machine tool having a first rate of feed, a second drive shaft adapted layout of a portion of the electro-mechanical counting apparatus as provided in accordance with this invention illustrating parts of the apparatus in cross section.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of an electro-mechanical counting apparatus embodying all of the elements illustrated in Fig. l, but illustrating the true physical arrangement of those elements with respect to one another.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 2 with certain details omitted.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal cross section taken on line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of one of the rotary switches illustrated in Fig. l, omitting the rotor.

Fig. 6 is an expanded perspective view of a portion of the counting gear chain illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram of the remote control systemfor the counting mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, .the electro-rnechanical counting apparatus as provided in accordance with this invention comprises two pair of mounting brackets 10 andll. The pair of mounting brackets extends between and is secured thereto by means of machine screws 15.

' A counter gear housing 16 may be mounted on the cover 14 and secured thereto by any suitable means (not shown). The pair of brackets 11 may be fastened to the housing 16 and to another housing plate (not shown) similar to plate 11 by means of machine screws 17.

A plurality of counter switches 18a, 18b and 18b may be mounted in the housing plate 12 with a mounting plate 19 ofeach switch clamped to plate 12 by means of damp ing elements 20 and machine screws 21. In Fig. 1 only one of the, mounting plates 19 is shown, but it will be understood that the other switches 18 include similar mounting plates. Another group of counting switches 22a, 22b and 220 may be similarly mounted in the other housing plate (not shown).

For driving the switches 18 and 22 there is provided a motor 24, for example, it being understood that the .electro-mechanical counting apparatus of this invention may be driven not only from a motor, but'from the lead screw or shaft of any machine or portion of any ma- -wherein it is desired to perform a counting opera- Motor 24 may be connected to a counter input flexible coupling de vice 2,6, or shaft 25 may be connected through a clutch to a lead screw of a machine tool to be driven thereby instead of from motor 24. Shaft 25 may be mounted at one end in the housing plate 12 by means of a conventional bearing 27 retained in plate 12 by a retainer 28 and a plurality of machine screws 29. At its other end shaft 25 may extend through the housing cover 14 and .into a conventional bearing 30 retained in position by retainer 31 and machine screws such as 32. Shaft 25 is provided with a counter gear chain driving gear 34 and a pinion 35 which may be provided for the purpose of also driving the'counter independently of motor 24 as will be explained.

The gear counting chain comprises a first shaft 37 on which is mounted a pinion 38 meshing with the drive pinion 34. Pinion 34 may have eighty-four teeth, for example, and pinion 38 may have twenty-one teeth, for example, whereby pinion 38 completes four revolutions for each single revolution of gear 34. Also fixed to the shaft 37 is a two-toothed gear 40 (Fig. 6), of a twenty-tooth gear and a locking plate 41. Gear 40 may be rotated by pinion 38 into mesh with an eight-tooth portion 42 of a gear 43. Locking plate 41 normally extends into contact with the four-tooth portion 44 of gear 43 between the teeth thereof, thereby preventing rotation of gear 43. Locking plate 41 may be rotated into such a position that the notch 45 meshes with one of the teeth -44 of gear 43; Simultaneously, the two teeth of gear 40 mesh with portion 42 of gear 43, thereby rotating gear 43 through one quarter of a revolt uion. The gear 43 may be mounted on the shaft 47 rotatably mounted in plate 14 and housing 17, as shown in Fig. 1.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that since gear 40 has two teeth of a twenty-tooth gear, the

rotation of gear 43 occurs in one tenth of a revolution -of shaft 37. The gear 43 meshes with the twenty-tooth pinion 48 fixed to shaft 49 of switch 22a to rotate therewith a two-tooth gear 50 and a locking plate 51, both identical to gear 40 and plate 41. Since gear 48 has twenty teeth, it is rotated to one tenth of a revolution at each operation of gear 43. The shaft 37 may be connected to rotary switch 18a, while the shaft 49 may be connected to the switch 22a. And thus switch 18a may count each revolution of shaft 37, while switch 22a counts each tenth revolution of shaft 37. By similar and intermeshingcounting gears, the switch 18b is arranged to count each hundredth revolution of shaft 37, while the switch 22b counts each thousand revolutions of shaft 37. The switch 180 may count each ten thousand revolutions of shaft 37, while the switch 220 counts every one hundred thousand revolutions of shaft '37."

Switches 18 and 22 are illustrated in Fig. 1 as connected to the proper shafts for driving them as described.

spring stop members 72. The outer ends 73 of stop members 72 are bent inwardly normally to stop the outward motion of spring 70. Armatures 71 of magnetic material may be secured to springs 70 in any suitable manner, insulators 71a being mounted in contact with the springs.

At the outer ends of spring70 there are mounted inwardly projecting electrical contacts 74 which project through suitably disposed apertures in an electrically insulating contact support and guide 75. The guide 75 may be supported on the outer end of yoke 65 by means of machine screws 76 threading into yoke 65.

There is provided at the center of contact support and guide 75 a sliding contactmember 78 normally pressed in an outward direction by means of a leaf spring 79 mounted on support 75 by means of a machine screw 80.

Electrical contact between the spring supported contact 74 and the centrally disposed contact 78 jis'established by means ofa rotor 82 made of insulating material and adapted to be mounted on shaft 37, for example, of switch 18a. 'In the rotor 82' is embedded a conductive L-shaped strip 83, whereby the leg 84 of strip 83 may touch contact 78 at all times, and the outer leg of strip 83 may contact each of the spring supported contacts in succession. Normally the electro-magnet comprising yoke 65 and coil 66 is de-energized, whereby the springs 70 hold contacts 74 out of engagement with the rotor conductor strip 83. This saves contact wear, as will be explained hereinafter. It should be noted that the centrally disposed contact 78 is subjected to minimum wear since it has a spherical end held in light contact with leg 8 4 by'the leaf spring 79. 7

Figs. 2 and 3 show the actual physical arrangementof the rotary switches 18 and 22 with respect to one another. The housing plate 12 is reduced in length as compared with housing plate 12 in Fig. 1. The counter housing 16 and the counter housing cover 14 are shaped similarly to the housing plate 12, whereby the counting gear train has its axles arranged in a more or less semicircular alignment. Thus, the switches 18 and 22 are more compactly disposed with respect to one another.

For,controlling the electro-tmagnet'65, 66 in each of the rotary switches there is provided a circuit such as that 7 shown in Fig. 7. It will readily be understood that other At the right hand end of the counting apparatus there a .is rotatably mounted a'shaft 53 supported in bearing and retainer assemblies 54 and 55. A gear 56 may be mounted on shaft 53 within the housing 16 to mesh with a gear 35, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Thus, this'shaft may be connected through outer extension 58 and a clutch (not shown) to a lead screw of a machine tool having a different number of threads per inch from the lead screw connected to shaft 25.

Each of the rotary switches 18 and 22 includes a structure as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. A tube 60 may be mounted centrally of the mounting plate 19 and on the tube is mounted a spring and contact supporting block 61. A locating pin 62 may be provided in plate 19 and block 61 for locating the block 61 in predetermined angular relation to plate 19 so that the conductor and contact apertures 63 and 64, respectively, will be in proper angular relation. A yoke 65 of magnetic material may be mounted over the tube 60 and in contact with the block 61'for supporting a coil 66. Over the end of tube 60 in contact with yoke 65 there is provided a plate 67 having a tapered central aperture within which the outer end of tube 60 may be spun over to secure the block and yoke to plate 19, tube 60 also being spun into close contact with the tapered walls of a central aperture 68 in plate 19. a

A plurality of electrically conductive contact springs 70, ten in number for example, are secured at equal angles with respect to one another about the circumfercnceof block 61 by means of machine screws 72a and by types of circuits may be adapted for this particular purpose, and that shown in Fig. 7 is by way of example. A a

plurality of switches'90, 91, 92, 93, 94 and 95 may be connected with the contacts of switches 18 and 22 representing the multiple digit number 256821. Thus, switch -90rnay'be connected to contact No. 1 of switch 18a, switch 971 may be connected to contact No. 2 of switch 22a, switch 92 may be connected to contactNo. 8 of switch 18b, switch 93 may be connected to contact No. 6

of switch 22b, switch 94 may be connected to contact No. 5 of switch 180, and switch 95 maybe connected to contact No. 2 of switch 220.

In order to move the stationary contacts of each of the counting switches into position to be contacted by the rotor conductor 83 only after the switch had been moved to its pre-set counting position, the rotary contact of switch 220 is connected to the battery 96 through a coil 66a of switch 180. The rotary contact of switch 18c is connected to battery 96 through coil 66b of the switch 22b. The rotor of switch' 22b in turn is connected to coil 660 of switch 18b. The rotorof switch 18b is connected to the coil 66d ofswitch 22a, and therotor of switch 22a is connected through the coil 66c of switch 18a. v In order to preset the number on the rotary switches,

., switches -95 may be closed. This sets up, for example, a number 256821. Assuming that switch 22c counts the hundred thousands, the switch 18a will make twenty thousand revolutions, stepping switches 22a, 18b, 22b and 18c to in turn move the rotary contact of switch 22c to itssecond contact. This will complete a circuit -66e of switch 18a.

.from'battery96 throughsswitch 95, therrotary contactof switch 220 and the winding 66a on :switch 180. The

winding 66 of switch 220 is energized .by switch 98 whereby the contacts of the switch may be actuated when it is desired to .initiate a counting operation. If

switch 98 is open, the contacts ofswitch 22cdo not move .into the path of the rotary contact,-andno counting operation can be started. The winding 66a on switch 180 contact to contact No. .5, thereby completing a circuit from the battery 96 through switch 94, rotary contact switch 180 and winding 66b on .switch 2212. Thus, the

contacts of switch 22b will beclosed; and when switch 18a completes the twentyfivethousand six hundred revolutions, contact No. '6 of this switch will be closed,

thereby to energize winding 660 of switch 18b. In turn, after switch 18a completes twenty-five thousand six hundred eighty revolutions, .contactNo. 8 of this switch will be closed, therebyenergizing winding 66d of switch 22a. This causes the contacts of switch 22a to be actuated and after twenty-five thousand six hundred eighty-two revolutions contact No. 2 will be closed to energize winding The counting operation will be completed when the rotary contact of switch 18:; moves into contact with the No. Icontact thereof, or after 25682.1 revolutions. This will complete a control circuit through a control solenoid 97. Thus, at the end of a counting cycle the switch mechanism may perform a control function. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the stationary contacts of each of the rotary switches are not subject to friction except during the single revolution in which the final counting operation is completed. In

other words, the. contact wear is equalin all of theswitches and is reduced to aminimum .in all the switches.

Fig. 7 illustrates a group of ten contact energizing switches for each of the rotary switches, but only the connections for switches 9095 are shown for the purpose of simplifying the showing. It will readily be understood "that all or" the switches in each group may be connected to. said contacts ofthe rotary switches.

The electro-mechanical counting apparatus described herein can be utilized in connection with many different types of mechanical operations where it is desired to perform a counting function. 7 By way of example,.- this invention may be utilized for counting the :number' of .rotations-of a lead screw in a machine .tool, and after a pre-selected number of rotations which may be set up on the switches 90- 95, the lead screw may be stopped or otherwise controlled to control the length of cut or depth of cut of a metal working tool. The motor 24 of the counter may drive the machine tool through shafts 25 or 53 where the tool requires a relatively small amount of driving power. On the other hand, the counter may be driven directly from the lead screw of larger machines by connecting shaft 25 or shaft 53 to the lead screw in one manner or another. Such a connection would include a clutch either mechanically or electrically operated so that the counter could be disconnected from the machine tool and motor 24 could be operated to drive the counter mechanism to its zero position. This has the particular advantage that a piece of work may be set on the machine table, and it does not have to be accurately located with respect to the zero position of the counter. Instead, the work piece can be placed at the zero position of the tool, regardless of the counter position. With the clutch disconnected and the control switches 9095 set to 00000, motor 24 can be energized to drive the counter to its zero position. Then by re clutching the counter to the lead screw, the counter will be ready to read directly the distance traversed by the work piece or by the tool. Without this arrangement the work table would have only one zero position, and

there would be a substantial amount of set-up time or it would be necessary to add the desired travel distance of the work or of the tool to an existing counter indication in order to determine where the switches 90-95 should be set.

Another desirable and advantageous feature of the invention resides in the provision of the two drive shafts 25 and 53, either of which may be used to drive the counter. For example, machine tool lead screws are sometimes provided with forty threads per inch, and they sometimes have ten threads per inch. Shaft 25 has a drive ratio with respect to shaft 37 of 1 to 4. The gear 56 on shaft 53 is provided with the proper number of teeth meshing with pinion 35 to obtain a drive ratio from shaft 53 to shaft 37 of .1 to 10. Accordingly, shaft 25 may be driven from a lead screw having forty threads ,per inch, whereby shaft 37 makes two and one-half revolutions for each revolution of the lead screw. Shaft 53 may be driven from a lead screw having ten threads per inch, whereby shaft 37 makes ten revolutions for each -revolutionof shaft 52, therefore, each 34 revolution of shaft 37 represents .001 inch of travel of the machine counting a higher order of multiples of said number of contacts, circuit means connecting the magnetic means of each rotary switch to therotary contact of a higher order switch, whereby the rotary contact of a higher order switch controls the magnetic means of .a lower order switch, a source of potential connected in circuit with said magnetic means, said stationary contacts and said rotary contacts, and a plurality of groups of selector switches in circuit with said source and said stationary contacts, the contacts of each group of selector switches being connected to the respective stationary contacts of one of said rotary switches, whereby a selector switch in each group may be actuated to energize a selected stationary contact for providing actuation of the stationary contacts of each rotary switch by its associated magnetic means under the control of a higher order rotary switch.

2. An electro-mechanical counter comprising a plurality of rotary switches, each switch having a rotary contact, a number of stationary contacts normally open with respect to said rotary contact, and magnetic means for simultaneously moving all of said stationary contacts into the path of movement of said rotary contact, a counting drive chain interconnecting said switches for driving them in successive order, each successively driven switch counting a higher order of multiples of said number of contacts, circuit means connecting the magnetic means of each rotary switch to the rotary contact of a higher order switch, whereby the rotary contact of a higher order switch controls the magnetic means of a lower order switch, a source of potential connected in circuit with said magnetic means, said stationary contacts and said rotary contacts, and a selector switch means in circuit with said source and said stationary contacts for connecting said source to a stationary contact of each one of said rotary switches, thereby to provide actuation of the stationary contacts of each rotary switch by its associated magnetic means under the control of a higher order rotary switch.

3. An electro-mechanical counter comprising a plurality of rotary switches, each switch having a rotary contact, a number of stationary contacts normally open with respect to said rotary contact, and means for simultaneously moving all of said stationary contacts into the path -'switch, whereby the rotary contact circuit means connecting the contact of movement of said rotary contact, a counting drive chain interconnecting said switches for driving them in successive order, each successively driven switch counting a higher order of'rnultiples of said number of contacts, circuit means connecting the contact moving'means of each rotary switch to the rotary contact of a higher order of a higher order switch controls the contact moving means of a lower order switch, a source of potential connected in circuit with said contact moving means, said stationary contacts and said rotary contacts, and a plurality of groups of selector switches in circuit with said source and said stationary contacts, the contacts of each group of selector switches being connected to the respective stationary contacts of one of said rotary switches, whereby a selector switch in each group may be actuated to energize a selected stationary contact for providing actuation of the stationary contacts of each rotary switch by its associated contact moving means under the control of a higher order rotary switch.

4. 'Anelectro-mechanical counter comprising a plurality of rotary switches, each switch having a rotary contact, a number of stationary contacts normally open with respect to said rotary contact, and means for simultaneously moving all of said stationary contacts into the path of movement of said rotary contact, a counting drive chain interconnecting said switches for driving them in successive order, each successively driven switch counting a higher order of multiples of said number of contacts, moving means of each rotary switch to the rotary contact of a higher order switch, whereby the rotary contact of a higher order switch controls the contact moving means of a lower order switch, a source of potential connected in circuit with said contact moving means, said stationary'contacts and said rotary contacts, and a selector means in circuit with said source and said stationary contacts for effecting connection of said source to a stationary contact of each one of said rotary switches, thereby to provide actuation of the stationary contacts of each rotary switch by its associated contact moving means under the control of a higher order rotary switch.

5. An electro-mechanical counter comprising a plurality of multiple contact switches, each switch having a movable contact, a number of stationary contacts nor 'mally open with respect to said movable contact, and

magnetic means for simultaneously moving all of said stationary contacts into the path of movement of said movable contact, a mechanical counting chain interconnecting said switches for driving them in successive order, each successively driven switch counting a higher order of multiples of said number of'contacts, circuit means connecting the magnetic means of each switch to the mov able contact of a higher order switch, whereby the movable contact of a higher order switch controls the magnetic means of a lower order switch, a source of potential connected in circuit with said magnetic means, said stationary contacts and said movable contacts, and a selector means in circuit with said source and said stationary contacts for efiecting connection of said source to a stationary contact of each one of said multiple contact switches, thereby to provide actuation of the stationary contacts of each multiple contact switch by its associated magnetic means under the control of a higher order multiple contact switch.

6. An electro-mechanical counter comprising a pinrality of multiple contact switches, each switch having a movable contact, a number of stationary contacts normally open with respect to said movable contact, and means for simultaneously moving all of said stationary contacts into the path of movement of said movable contact, a counting means interconnecting said switches for driving them in successive order, each successively driven switch counting a higher order of multiples of said number of contacts, circuit means connecting the contact moving means of each multiple contact switch to the movable contact of a higher order switch, whereby the movable contact of ahigher order switch controls the contact moving means of a lower order switch, a source of potential connected in circuit with said contact moving means, said stationary contacts and said movable contacts, and a selector means in circuit with said source and said stationary contacts for effecting connection of said source to a stationary contact of each one of said multiple contact switches, thereby to provide actuation of the stationary contacts of each movable contact switch by its associated contact moving means under the control of a higher order multiple contact switch.

I References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

